I'm a builder and without a doubt, this is the most powerful "hand tool" I bring to a job site. It's also the scariest tool and I cringe when a novice grabs this thing thinking that it's a run of the mill circular saw. I have a 30+ year old Craftsman circular that doesn't know when to quit, but when the going gets tough, I bring out the worm drive. It's heavy, but that means that you only have to guide the beast and not push it. Buy good blades. Use it for trimming just one large deck and it's already paid for itself, but be careful and don't forget to change the oil.
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best saw for the pro framer and homeowner.
br /we are a high production building company, and we cut a lot of lumber!!
br /Have used almost every type of saw out there, all have not stood the test of time like the skil wormdrive.
br /Still have a Skil worm drive from years back, and still going strong, with 4 newer ones.
br /The weight of this saw , is to your benifit. if it kicks back, the weight will save an injury.light saws are dangerous when it come to this.
br /have had some fall from tall heights ( 2 strories) , and survived. The worst being a bent deck.
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br /Also,great with a skil ripping guide.
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br /I've seen in Home Depot, sometimes they don't have this saw in stock. They say reason being people, including some builders find it too heavy. not true.
br /it's just right.
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br /and you can save your membership fee at the gym !!!!!
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br /personally I like it better than the mag 77, being the weight diffrence.
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br /Remember:when using any saw, best to keep your RPM's up, which means don't push saw so hard through wood that it bogs down.
br /Cut easy , using sharp blades.
br /this will keep your windings tempeture down, which in turn makes saw last longer.
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br /Hope they never stop making this saw.

I've used this saw for year in every possible environment and in ways never intended by the manufacturer. It never let me down. I'm always surprised when I see an ancient Skill wormdrive at a pawn or used tool shop. I guess the old owner didn't have kids. As long as you keep it lubed it 'll be working for your grand kids.

Being a construction worker and a tool fanatic I must say this is the best saw on the market. At least 80 percent of constuction sites are occupied by the HD77 or it's brother the MAG77. I like the HD77 alittle better due to it's weight. I have yet to experience any heavy kickback and have yet to find any piece of lumber this won't rip through. This is a easy tool to use if you can handle a little weight (it doesn't take that long to get used to if you use lighter saws). This saw can handle being dropped several times and will last forever with an occasional oil. I don't have enough good things to say about this great saw.
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Every review as I write this is 5 stars, and they're right; if ever a product deserves 5 stars, it's this one. Also, as people mentioned, if you buy this and take care of it, you'll never have to buy another. I got mine as a gift from my stepfather, who's a HVAC contractor - he swears by his, which he bought many years ago and has never had a bit of trouble with. I expect to give mine to my kids someday.pThe only thing to be aware of is that this saw is extremely powerful - drop it on the ground while it's still turning and it could take off on you - so you have to take extra care while using it. But so long as you're careful, you won't regret buying this saw.

I own a Porter-Cable 15 amp (which I love) and one of these. I've had the P-C over a year and this Skil, which I just got a couple days ago, blows the Porter Cable away! I'm not a contractor, but I understand fully why contractors out West love them. This is one beefy machine with tons of power to cut anything. I tried twisting it in a cut to test it and it only slowed a little, while the P-C nearly stops! A great buy for DIY-er or professional.

I purchased my first one 77 when I was 16 and used it for 9 years without a single problem. I never did a thing to it except change the blade and occasionaly install a new 50 foot cord in it as I would wear them out every few years. I used this tool 5 - 6 days a week every week for years and never had a single problem with it. If you want a tool that will get the job done every time then this is the one for you. If you want something a little lighter but just as strong, look at the Mag 77 Skilsaw. I have owned one of these for the last 9 years also. Nothing better than these two!!!

As a petite woman and DIYer I needed a saw that was easy to use and control. I was given this saw as a gift and it has been great.

The original Skilsaw is the classic tough wormdrive saw, and has never been equaled for longevity or durability by any other circular saw. In fact, I would say this saw's greatest competition is older versions of the same model - since they never seem to break, at least when maintained and operated properly.
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br /My own Skilsaw was an older 77, it lay battered and dusty in a used tool shop where contractors often dump tools to rust and die. It cost all of $70, complete with broken top handle and torn power cord. I replaced the cord and handle, cleaned the motor and put in fresh lubricant and have been cutting away ever since (10 years now). It cuts like a new saw. I have only used wood and masonry blades on it, no breakdowns, no problems. It is virtually impossible to overheat this thing as long as you are using a proper gauge extension cord and change the lubricant. Best power tool I own.

The Skil HD77 can truely be considered heavy duty. I live in the southeast US (...where it never really gets cold...) and can say that the HD77 is unstoppable. The advantages of any worm drive saw are torque (cutting power), noise (not so much high rpm motor whine), and longevity (could outlast the owner). The primary disadvantage is weight - the saw is heavy. Skil invented this type of saw and still carries the lion's share of the market. There are other worm drive saws available, and I'm sure that they are all great, but there is something to be said for a product that has remained basically unchanged for 60+ years. If you can handle the weight, you will be more than pleased with the saw. I would buy it again - but I don't think I'll ever need to.

I got this saw from a charity auction in which I had the highest bid of $110. Obviously, I scored big here. I probably would not have bought this saw because I thought it was just too much saw for my needs as a heavy duty home improvement enthusiast. I used it this past week to complete a three-story playhouse for my kids (yeah, kids, that's the ticket). This is a powerhouse of a saw - wait until I put a good blade on it. I actually like the weight because it keeps it in place as I move it across the workpiece. I also love the fact that the blade is on the left-hand side - I hate always looking over the saw as with the traditional style. The ergonomics are great. The handle is behind the saw as to give you better leverage.
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br /I've always thought of Skil as kind of a low-tier brand, but this is the king of circular saws. Worth way more than the cost.
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br /I'd also add that the first time I turned it on I was expecting a roar. It is surprisingly quiet. I find all my high end tools are quieter than the cheapies. All around very happy.

I earn an income visiting construction sites. More rough carpenters use this circular saw then any other (including the Skil HD77M).pIn March of this year, I bought the HD77 used ...to replace a low-end Black Decker which was purchased new for $50 in 1981. pFor DIY projects around the house, the heavy-duty, smooth operating HD77 has yet to disappoint. Initially, I had to get used to the weight and the ergonomics. The cuts were smooth with no irritating startup kickback. Plywood and sonotubes; no problem. pWith the increasingly harsh Toronto area winters, the oil in the HD77 requires to be room temperature warm prior to using the saw in the great outdoors of ours. pWith proper maintenance and care, this saw will be a vital and permanent tool for rough carpentry.

Although this little gem is quite heavy compared to other circular saws, it's power more than makes up. This thing is unstoppable! The unique handle position takes some getting used to, as it feels more like you are pushing the saw along the workpiece, but I've found the wormdrive easier to use than other saws that have the handle located more "on top" of the unit. The on/off switch is very handy too. p I did some work last winter (during a snowstorm) and the saw does turn kinda slow until the oil warms up. That got in the way for intermittent use, when the oil got cold between every cut. This was the case when I used it for cutting laminate flooring. Seems like overkill, but DAMN the cuts were clean!! br I'm a heavy DIYer and I disagree, for my case, that it's not suited. Someone who just wants to cut a two-by once in a while definitely wouldn't need this saw.

I have used this saw for a few years and have found that the power is unsurpassed in its field. This saw will rip 2x lumber without bogging down. I burned one up while ripping a 16' 2x12, what I didn't realize was that the blade was dull when I started ripping. If you're going to be cutting alot of lumber check the blade to make sure it's sharp. With experience you can tell when the blade gets dull. I feel this saw is too powerful for the occasional carpenter. This saw is great for the professional carpenter. I would buy this saw because of the power it has. The weight is something you get used to after years of use. I have no complaints about this saw it's durable and tough and will withstand some abuse. In cold weather it has to be run for a few seconds ,in the morning, to heat up the oil.

This is the best saw money can buy. Will cut anything you throw at it and won't let you down. Can take a beating and gets up asking for more. If you want a great saw that you will have for years to come - get this saw. I am very impressed and have no complaints what so ever.

This is the standard by which every other power tool ought to be judged, not just saws. I worked (OK, DIY) with a sidewinder for years, but I should have just paid the extra money and gotten the Skil 77. I expect that mine will be used by my grandson. If you are undertaking any major projects involving sawing a lot of 2-by-whatever lumber, or thicker plywood, like a room addition or deck, this is a highly recommended purchase. As a DIYer, if you get out the saw over, say, 15 times a year, you will probably get your money's worth out of the saw. If you only use a saw a few times a year, it's probably more than you need. For a DIYer, you should be aware that this unit weighs more than the less expensive consumer saws you may have used before, and some practice with scrap is advisable. And check and keep the oil level up - that's the only real care needed for what is otherwise almost indestructible.

I bought this saw to cut some concrete to expand my patio. Itbrperformed flawlessly and even better than expected. Even thoughbrI'm a DIY'er you won't go wrong buying this tool.

i have had this saw for seven years it was the first power tool i ever bought it still runs like a new saw, all tools will last a life time if you know how to take care of them.

I remember skill when they had steel bodies on there saws .brI have the craftsman variant ( YEAH Skill builds for Sears ).brI prefer the steel shoe over the magnesium for durability .brI have run every type of blade ( wood ,diamond ,metal abrasive ) without any troubles .My saw is 13 years old and still on original brushes .

I used it to build our church. It handled every possible task. I am buying one for myself, since the one I used belonged to someone else. It has great control and the weight of the saw helps keep you on line when making marked cuts. I would recommend this saw even if you are a home owner doing small tasks. This saw has been a blessing!

This is a Building Industry standard used by all trades such as framers, plumbers, concrete, etc.

This is an outstanding saw and will serve you well if you have the need for it. I bought mine with some minor scuffs and scrapes at a local flea market for $55.00. I had been looking at the Ridgid worm drive saw, a beautiful saw, for a long time but had hedged at the $170 price when I knew there were other things I needed to put my money into first. When I saw this saw for $100 less than its retail, I snatched it up while another guy standing right behind me was waiting in the hope that I'd put it down. I was amazed by the straight, true, and easy way in which this saw went through 1/2 inch cdx this summer when I had to replace quite a bit of sheathing on the rear of my 1770 house. I had to do quite a few window cut-outs for windows that in 200 years plus have lost any sense of plumb and true. I would pencil out the markings and with ease guide this saw along the lines. It is a precise and reliable machine, and, as noted in other reviews, the weight is really a benefit, not a downfall. I am reviewing it here because I have relied upon the reviews of others here to buy quite a few tools in the last two years, and there is nothing like hearing from an average person like yourself who has used the tool. This is an excellent tool and well worth the full price if you have to pay it. It is nice to find a tool of this quality that is still U.S.-made, when the majority of the tool makers have gone overseas. You won't be disappointed with this saw.

My wife's Indian tribe has a casino in Oklahoma. In May 2005, we were on vacation visiting my father-in-law, and stopped in to see my wife's tribe's casino. I'm not really a gambler, but I put $20 in a slot machine, hit the button three times, and won $250. I cashed out, and gave my wife $100. I knew what I was going to spend the rest of my money on, a Skil HD77 Wormdrive saw. My father had the old metal handled version of the HD77 when I was growing up in the 60's and 70's, and it was what I learned to saw with. In my adult life I've had cheap circular saws, but I always longed for the Skilsaw of my youth. Once you have used a Skil HD77, you just can't go back to any lesser saw. I was also fortunate that when I got home, and purchased the saw from Amazon, it happened to be on sale, and I got $25 more dollars off for spending $199+, so I got my new saw for the cost of about $110. Some people think the saw is too heavy. Personally I don't mind the weight, I think it steadies the saw. I love quality and value, and this saw has them both. If you read most of the reviews, mostly five stars, they speak for themselves. I've built saw horses, bookcases, cabinets for my shop, raised beds for our tomato garden, a closet organizer, a coffee table, a computer desk, a sewing table for my wife, the list goes on. I guess what I would like to pass along is that I am sorry that I waited so long to get this saw. Now that I have one again, all DYI chores seem easier. I look forward to using my saw. It makes any sawing task, a pure pleasure. I should have just bit the bullet and got one a long time ago. If you are a person, contemplating the purchase of a circular saw, especially a younger person, my advice is spend your money wisely, and get the best, the first time, and you won't regret it. Throw our the cheap blade it comes with, and buy a decent carbide saw blade. Change the oil ocasionally, and the Skil HD77 will last you a lifetime. There are not too many purchases that you can make for around $150, that you can say that about. If your are lucky, you might catch it on sale, or be able to pick up a used one for even less money. If so, grab it and run like the wind.

Skil HD77 7-1/4-Inch Worm Drive Saw
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br /Circular saws just don't get better than these.

The others here have said it all: Best old design anywhere. Mine was shipped carefully packed in Amazon's box in the pristine factory-sealed Skil box, unfortunately with its cord slashed to the wires at two places and without the blade wrench (although it did include the Skil "Made in China" standard steel blade properly secured by the packaging). Happily for me a Skil/Bosch warranty shop is only fifteen minutes away. I'd expected better from Skil's premier product. Bosch QC definitely needs some tweaking.

I have a Skill 77 that I took out of the box brand new in 1977, this saw and I have built more houses than I can remember. For the first two decades I used this tool it was without a guard, I just took it off and threw it away. Then three years ago I was using one of my other Skill 77's, a relatively new saw and it happened to have a guard for the blade. I was sawing along as I have for decades and some how the blade bound up instantly, the saw flipped up in to air and hit me right in the chest with the blade still spinning. The blade guard saved my life. Since that day all my workers saws and my company's saws have guards that function properly. This is a wonderful tool, but an extremely dangerous one in the wrong hands. Buy it, use it, respect it's power and it will give good service for a life time. I still have my old metal handled Skill 77 and I may use it again some day, after I install a guard for the blade.

This saw is the industry standard. Whether ripping through concrete, stucco with wire or wood this saw can't be stopped. Sure its heavy but this is a man's saw and it will never let you down. With good care it should last for generations just like my dads did and mine will to. Being a framer I really push it to the limit but if it can survive some of the morons that have worked for me it is truly a testement to its durability. People may complain about the guard catching but you'll learn little tricks to void them. The point is: Real men have worms and sidewinders are for girls.